Life on the West Side
Life on the West Side
Peace
The Fruit of the Spirit is Peace. Peace is something we cry for and long for. Ask most people on the planet, “what is the number one prayer in most place at most times?” I imagine they would say, “peace.” Peace in Middle East. Peace across the country. Peace in my home. Peace at my family’s Thanksgiving Day table. To avoid becoming the Hatfields and the McCoy’s, we pray for peace.
And that brings us to the cross of Christ. Christ, who is our peace (Eph 2:14). He is the peace child, breaking us down, shattering every last barrier erected due to our hostility. “Peace I leave with you,” said Jesus to his fearful disciples, “My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” (John 14:27 ESV).
If he has overcome the world, can he not overcome the rifts in your life? And if God could offer his own son for peace, how can we not offer a cup of coffee, or a seat at the table, or the right hand of fellowship, or the long-awaited hug, or the long-resisted apology? How can we not lay our weapons down and say “this is what it means to rest in the peace of the cross?"
The sermon today is titled "Peace." It is the third installment in our "Fruit of the Spirit" Series. The Scripture reading is from Galatians 5:22. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on July 24, 2022. These lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Grow: Spiritual Formation.
Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.
Links and Resources:
- Don Richardson's book Peace Child.
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